The New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers play Game 5 of their series this coming Wednesday in The Land. Check out our preview of this Knicks vs Cavaliers matchup in the 2022-23 NBA Playoffs. There are more basketball previews to read here at TopBet, so feel free to look around and make bets once you’re ready.
The Knicks are on the brink of advancing to the second round, as they now have a 3-1 series lead against the Cavs following New York’s 102-93 win at home last Sunday. New York fed off the brilliance of Jalen Brunson in Game 4, as he produced 29 points while RJ Barrett added 26 points. The Knicks are controlling the rebounds in the series, fueling their success. They are averaging 44.8 rebounds per game in the first round while the Cavs are getting just 39.0 per game. Over their last 10 games, the Knicks have averaged 112.0 points, 45.5 rebounds, 22.9 assists, 9.6 steals, and 4.8 blocks while knocking down 47.1 percent of their shots from the floor, The Knicks are 5-1-1 against the spread in their last seven games versus a team with a winning record.
The Cavs are hoping that the real Donovan Mitchell will stand up in Game 5. Mitchell scored just 11 points on an atrocious 5/18 shooting from the field in Game 4. Granted that the Knicks’ defense has been great so far, Cleveland can’t just stop giving the ball to Mitchell, who is a proven scorer and performer against even the stoutest of defenses. Mitchell is putting up 22.0 on 43.6 field goal percentage in the first round so far. Over their last 10 games, the Cavs have averaged 105.5 points, 38.8 rebounds, 24.3 assists, 6.8 steals, and 5.9 blocks while draining 47.1 percent of their attempts from the field. The Cavs are 8-3 against the spread in their last 11 Wednesday games.
